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Your questions about fostering

1. What is a permanent foster carer?

Permanent foster carers care for children on a permanent basis where the child will not return home, but where adoption is not felt to be appropriate.

2. What is a respite foster carer?

Respite foster carers provide short breaks for children living with their birth family, or for children in short term or permanent foster care, where the need for respite is identified.

3. What is the difference between permanent fostering and adoption?

Adoption is a legal process that transfers all the legal rights and responsibilities from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. Once an adoption has been granted it cannot be dissolved, unless the child is readopted by someone else. Although social work services will continue to offer post-adoption support after an adoption order has been granted, it is at the discretion of the adopters and the child whether or not they accept it. Fostering may be a short term way of offering a child a home until they can return to their own parents. However, some children cannot return home but still feel part of their own families and wish to continue to have contact with them. For these children adoption may not be appropriate. A permanent foster placement will therefore be sought with permanent foster carers. Permanent foster carers work in partnership with Social Work Services, who will continue to offer financial and emotional support to both the carers and the child. Although the day-to-day decisions that affect the child will be made by the foster carers, some decisions such as a change of school, a trip abroad or written consent for a planned surgical operation will require consultation with the birth family and social workers.

4. How do I apply to adopt or to become a foster carer?

We normally recruit foster carers twice yearly. Advertisements are placed in the local press and information packs are sent to those interested in finding out more, along with the offer of a home visit. Enquiries about becoming a foster carer are welcome at any time so please don’t wait for an advert to appear before contacting the resourcing team.

5. How does the 'Childrens Act' affect children and foster care/adoption?

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 is a very important piece of legislation which brought with it a number of changes in the law which all confirm the importance of children's rights and the need to safeguard their care. Children have the right to live with their own birth families whenever they can safely do so. When that proves impossible, living with a caring family may be the next best thing. The Act confirmed the importance of carers as an integral part of the range of resources which children and young people require. The Act emphasises the importance of a child's racial, religious, linguistic and cultural heritage, and enquiries fro fostering/adoption are welcomed from people from all religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

6. Why do children need fostering?

There is usually a family crisis or problem which means that it would be better for the child to be looked after by foster carers. Parents may find that a teenager's behaviour becomes unmanageable, or the family of a child who is particularly demanding of care and attention may need a break, or alternatively a family which may be going through a crisis and may need some space to sort it out. Families who are affected by HIV and AIDS may need help with their children. They will appreciate carers who can provide supportive care to both the parents and the children. Some children have been physically or sexually abused and have been removed from their parents by order of a court. Others are in residential children's homes, but need family-based care. This is sometimes not available because of the drastic shortage of foster carers in the UK. The decision about where the child will live is taken by the child's social worker in consultation with the parents and other social work staff. In Scotland, if the child is on a supervision order, a Children's Hearing may make the decision about where they will live.

7. What is a short term foster carer?

Short term foster carers will care for children for a limited period of time, working with the social work team to either help the children return to their birth family, or to move on to a new family - either an adoptive family or permanent foster family.

8. How long can I foster a child for?

Sometimes a child just needs to be looked after for just a few days, sometimes months and sometimes years. Children may need to be cared for because of pressures/illness within a family or difficulties in family relationships and it is important for prospective foster carers to consider what age groups of children/tasks involved and time scales they can best manage.

9. Is there an age limit on people who wish to foster or adopt a child?

There is a lower age limit of 21. To adopt or foster a child of two years old or less, you should be no older than 40 on the day of adoption. You should be no older than 44 to foster or adopt a child of any other age.

10. Is it possible to say if I only want to foster a child of certain age and sex?

Your own circumstances may determine what age range and sex of child you would wish to be considered for. In fact the fostering regulations insist that carers are approved for a specific age range, number and sexes of children, and whether they are short term, permanent or respite care. Some carers only want to look after very young children, others prefer older children. We will discuss with you which age, sex and number of children are most suited for your family.

11. Can I adopt/foster a child with special needs or a disability?

Yes, you can adopt or foster a child with special needs - all children need a loving, caring and supportive environment to grow up in.

12. Can I adopt/foster a child if I already have children of my own?

Yes - but we would need to consider their ages and views in relation to the age and needs of the potential adoptive/foster child. This ensures that any placements made are good matches for you and your family as well as the child or young person who is being adopted or fostered.

13. Can I adopt/foster if I work/don't work?

Yes, you can adopt whether you work or not. However, like any other parents, you, and/or your partner, need to be available at crucial times e.g. before/after school. In addition you must also be able to make suitable arrangements if something untoward takes place e.g. they have to return early from school from sickness.

14. Do I need a spare room if I want to adopt or foster a child?

Ideally yes, it would be good to have a spare room if you want to foster or adopt a child. Children and young people need space around them for their own possessions and to allow them to study, play or just have a quiet moment to themselves where they can relax and feel undisturbed. If you have a big room with space it may be that they can share with your own child. The best thing to do is contact us and have a chat about it.

15. Can I foster/adopt a child if I am overweight?

If your weight affects your ability to care for children this would be considered carefully and discussed with yourself. More information on fostering...

16. Can I foster/adopt a child if I have health problems?

Many people with health problems are approved as foster/adoptive parents. Perfect health is not essential. However, it is important that prospective carers are able to meet the needs of the children who require to be looked after, to prevent children experiencing unnecessary moves or avoidable difficult experiences. There is no list of conditions that would prevent fostering/adoption. Situations are assessed on their own merits. If you have a problem, let your social worker know as soon as possible so that full information can be sought. This may include an early medical examination or writing to your consultant, if you attend hospital. We will only ask for information if you sign a consent form to let us do this. The information on your health is considered by our medical advisor (a qualified doctor who specialises in adoption and fostering work). If you have a health problem that might make it difficult for you to meet the needs (emotional or physical) of children requiring to be looked after, then the medical advisor will point these out. They will also advise whether there is any action that may help to improve the situation. More information on fostering...

17. Can I foster/adopt a child if I or my partner smokes?

Smoking does not prevent people from being carers but it is not encouraged and should not take place around the child who has been fostered. Often carers who do smoke go outside. However, due to the risks of passive smoking, children under 2 years or with certain medical conditions are not placed in households with smokers.

18. Do I get paid for fostering a child?

Yes, you do get some money towards the care of a foster child. The Council pays a 'fostering allowance' dependent on the age of the child. This means that fostering a child is something that people can do regardless of their financial income. Additional allowances are also paid for Christmas and at the child's birthday. The Council also pays a 'carer's allowance', to temporary foster carers, again depending on the age of the child. This is for yourself as the carer and acknowledges your contribution to both the direct care of that child and contribution to the care planning process around them e.g. attending children's hearings and reviews. Permanent foster carers are entitled to the fostering allowance for the child but do not get paid the carer's allowance. Permanent carers are paid allowances ONLY. More information on fostering....

19. Do I have to be well off if I want to foster a child?

No, you do not have to be well-off to foster a child. Everyone has something to offer. Children need a family to grow in, and their needs are wide and varied. Foster carers get an allowance which helps towards the cost of looking after the child.

20. Do I have to pay tax on fostering fees and allowances?

The Chancellor has recognised the importance of foster carers in the Adoption Tax Credit . Foster Carers have an extra personal allowance of £10,000 each year plus a tax free allowance related to their fostering payments of up of £250 a week for each child. All foster carers must register as self employed with their local tax office. More information on fostering....

21. Will fostering allowances affect my DSS payments?

Fostering allowances and fees are not generally considered as income by the DSS. However there may be some exceptions. Advice regarding tax and benefits is available from the Fostering Network (previously known as the National Foster Care Association) or from the Department of Works and Pensions. More information on fostering....

22. What is private fostering?

Private fostering is the term used when a parent or guardian places a child under school leaving age in the care of someone else who is not a close relative or officially approved foster carer for a period of time of more than 28 days. You might be a private foster carer without realising it. For example are you looking after a friend's child while they work away from home? has your neighbour had trouble coping with a new baby and asked you to look after it for a few weeks? have friends from abroad asked you to let their child stay with you while they attend school here? The local authority has a responsibility to secure the welfare of all privately fostered children.

23. If private fostering is a private arrangement, why is there legislation?

The legislation governing the care of the children in private fostering arrangements is there to protect the welfare of the child. This is the most important aspect of any private fostering arrangement. Local authorities have an obligation to secure the welfare of every privately fostered child under the Foster Children (Scotland) Act 1984.

24. What will happen if I fail to notify the Social Work Department that I am looking after someone else's under-18 child in my home on a long-term basis?

Failure to notify the local Social Work Department that you are looking after someone else's under-18-year-old child in your home on a long term basis is an offence punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. Remember, the local authority is there to help and support you and to ensure the welfare of the child.

25. What are respite care services?

Carers and the people they are caring for may be entitled to respite care in the form of a temporary place in residential accommodation or provision of an alternative qualified carer to give both the carer and their families a break. Respite care in terms of child care is also a form of short-term substitute care provided by someone other than the parents or usual carers for a child. Respite care is a key support to families and is organised to suit the needs of the particular child and family. It can take place in a hospital, residential setting or in the child's own home. It gives parents free time to give them a rest, to spend time with their other children or in an emergency.

26. Who is a carer?

A carer can be: parent caring for a child with special needs; an older person caring for a partner, relative or friend who is physically or mentally ill; a child who is caring for a sick or disabled parent, brother or sister. The Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 recognises that carers will vary in age and in the nature of tasks they undertake, and people can still be carers when they do not live with the cared-for person.

27. Does the respite care service cost me anything?

No. Respite care is a free service.

28. How often will I be able to use the respite care service?

How frequently you can receive respite care will depend on an assessment of needs, and the availability of respite care.